496 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



INSECT COLLECTIONS 



A collection of the most important economic insects is of very great 

 value to any one engaged in the control of insect pests and the build- 

 ing up of such a collection is both instructive and delightful. 



Many have come to realize this and have already collected and pre- 

 served the insects most common in their respective localities. 



To meet the many demands for information and directions for col- 

 lecting and preserving insects, a few simple directions are given. 



COLLECTING 



Many do not have time to develop the methods of collecting insects 

 as a specialized part of their work and so do not bother with them 



at all. It is not possible to build up a 

 complete collection in one year, even 

 by the most thorough and persistent 

 efforts, but it is quite within one's 

 powers to gradually acquire a very rep- 

 resentative lot of insects by being par- 

 ticular to make close observations and 

 to capture all specimens as they are dis- 

 covered. It is necessary, then, to be 

 always equipped with a few small vials 

 or pill boxes for such emergencies. Fruit 

 growers and gardeners generally col- 

 lect and send large numbers of insects 

 for determination, which if carefully 

 mounted and preserved soon swell a 

 collection. This gives a state or county 

 official an opportunity to get many 

 insects which he might not himself take 

 for years. A true entomologist can not 

 go out into the open country without 

 capturing at least a few good specimens. 

 Nets. — A good net is indispensable for 

 collecting insects. The general form is 

 somewhat cone-shaped and consists of 

 a metal ring usually about 1 foot in 

 Fig 491 -- a small pocket, diameter around which is securely fas- 



ffifi de i^S e of or cSd! "STS tened a piece of cl ? th whicl \ ta P ers from 



bottom are held in place by cot- the ring to a small rounded end and IS 

 paU nd SHgMiy P S S ce d f W <SS? about two feet long. For sweeping, the 

 inal) cloth should be of heavy cotton like 



denim or a light canvas which will not easily tear. For capturing 

 butterflies and other insects on the wing, bobbinet is much better. 

 Small nets are sometimes made of silk for special work. The handle 

 should be securely fastened to the ring and from two to three feet 

 long for ordinary collecting. A very convenient form is the frame 

 of a collapsible landing fish net with a jointed handle, which may 

 be carried in a traveling bag. 



